Australia and the South Pacific​ Ocean

DISCUSSION: Although it may getting farther into the beginning of the Winter season across a good portion of the Northern Hemisphere, it is a completely different story across many parts of the Southern Hemisphere. In fact, across the continent of Australia, people are experiencing the beginnings of the 2017 Summer-time months. From a historical perspective, the months of December, January, and February are often observed to be the hottest months of the year across much of the "Land Down Under." Moreover, at the beginning of the Summer-time season, that is when some of the heavier rainfall events which occur throughout a given year take place.

On that note, the current large-scale weather situation is somewhat concerning across a good portion of Southeastern Australia. This is due to the fact that several regional forecast models are coming to a semi-decent consensus on a weak low-pressure system (which is currently slowly developing just offshore from the vicinity of the Gold Coast region) to further deepen as it continues on a its current southward track. As a result of this low-pressure's anticipated intensification, this will help to facilitate stronger onshore flow both in the vicinity of and to the south of Brisbane (and ultimately further south towards towns/cities in parts of eastern Victoria). This increased onshore flow will help to usher in much larger quantities of warm, moist air which will make the regional atmospheric environment much more conducive for locally heavier rainfall potential. Thus, as a result of these heavy rainfall forecast concerns, the Bureau of Meteorology has already issued corresponding flood/flash flood advisories and/or warnings to various parts of Queensland in advance of the bulk of this heavier rainfall which is more than likely going to unfold.

If you or someone you know is currently situated in one of more of the potential upcoming forecast flood zones for the next couple of days, it would be advisable to seek higher ground (especially if they are positioned in a valley). This is due to the fact that as heavy rainfall falls over regions of more elevated terrain for an extended period of time, this ultimately leads to the accumulation of most rainfall at points of lowest elevation. Thus, even after a short burst of heavy rainfall, a tranquil stream or river within a valley can quickly turn into a raging (and potentially life-threatening) river of rainfall and any debris picked up along the way. Therefore, if you or someone you know is living under a region which is currently under a flood or flash flood warning and/or advisory, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. That is very important regardless of where you are since regional topography will always dictate how floodwaters behave regardless of what measures you take either before a given flooding event or on a seasonal basis ahead of anticipated rainy periods.

To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across the South Pacific Ocean and Australia, be sure to click here!